Process of and apparatus for densified electrodeposition.



v N. wueems PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DENSIFIED ELECTRODEPOSITION-APPLICATION FILED MAY '54 1915- l 33@ %$@u Patented Aug. H, 191?.

Wimesses:

Maiwne! m. wusems. PROGESS AND APPARATUS FOR DENSIFIED ELECTRQDEPOSWION.

APPLICAHON FILED MM! 15. I915- m m Pmzwmd M, 2911.

2 SHEETS-SNEET 2.

mwm wm Wime adapted for use as driving-rings or hands for a: rd" r cares,

NATHANIEL HUGGINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO COPPER PRODUCTS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DENSIFIED ELECTRODEPOSITION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '14:, 1917'.

. Application filed May 15,1916. Serial No. 97,493.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL Huoorns, a citizen of the United States,reslding in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of andApparatus for Densified Electrodeposition, of which the following is aspecifica tion.

One great trouble in the electro-deposition of metallic articles,especially those formed of pure copper and other soft metals ofsubstantially similar character, lies in the fact, that frequently forvarious reasons as yet still undiscovered, but which by those mostskilled in the art, are believed to be brought about by impropercomposition of the bath,

variations in the current, etc., is that the metal deposited is spongyand unevenly deposited.

The objects of my present invention are to provide a new and improvedprocess or method, and apparatus for carrying the same into effect, forforming metallic articlesfor any desired use and purpose, homogeneousand solid throughout their entire structure, in a cheap and eflicientmanner.

Such process and apparatus are substantial improvements upon the processand apparatus for forming metal-rings, especially artillery projectiles,set forth, described and claimed in my copending application for my newand improved process for making metal-rings, etc, and apparatus forcarrying the same into effect, Serial No. 91,866, filed April 18, 1.916;and up to a certain point the process and apparatus herein are identicalwith those therein, which consists in (l) the forming and securing to asuitable conducting -cathode usually of brass, of a body or bodies ofsofter and usually more easily fusible metal or material, of highelectric conductivity; which body or bodies are hereinafter, forconvenience of description, designated as conductingmold-blanks; whichmold-blanks are placed within a mold of non-conducting and insulatingmaterial of cathode; and (4) lastly removing the conducting-Inold-blankfrom the article either by swaging, or by 1n any other desired manner.

As is well known in the art of electrodeposition, the metals aredeposited upon the cathodlc surface of the mold in the form of thinlaminae of crystalline structure superposed one upon the other until thearticle is of the required thickness, and such laminae crystalsare ofexceedingly minute and micrometrlc size; and "frequently do not cohereperfectly with one another, thus giving rise to a soft spongy andheterogeneous deposit, instead of the hard and homogeneous solid onedesired. This liability to sponginess of product is especially found incases where the cathodic mold is moved in any manner m, or in and outof, the electrolytic-bath during deposition; such movement in myaforesaid copending application and also herein being a rotative one,such motlon being best adapted for the electro-deposition of rings.

I have discovered that all liability to spong ness may be avoided bysubmitting the deposit during deposition to mechanical pressure; andthis method may be brought about by any suitable mechanical means; and1n the particular apparatus herein shown especially adapted for use inthe formation of electrolytically deposited rings; such pressure isbrought about upon the ring belng deposited by a pressure-tractionwheel,which is mounted adjacent to the rotating ring-depositing combinedcathode and mold; which pressurewvheels are yieldingly pressed upon thering being'deposited during its rotation with sufiicient pressure toconsolidate the same and remove any sponginess that mi 'ht otherwise beleft therein.

My said process, and apparatus for carrying the same into effect, isfully shown and described in the following specification, of which theaccompanying drawings form a part, wherein similar numerals or lettersof reference designate like or equivalent parts, wherever foundthroughout the several views, and in which Figure l is a front View, inpartially vertical central section, of my improved apparatus forcarrying 'out the processherein disclosed for forming rings byelectrolytic deposition.

melting off, or fusing, or

v 2 a side view of the structure shown inj' Fig. 1, looking from theleft thereof in the direction of the arrow.

1: Fig. 3 is a modified form of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2,wherein two L riiigs are shown in process of formation.

igQ 4 is a diagrammatic view. partially in central cross section, on theline H of Fig.

3, of the cathode mold and pressure-wheel used in such apparatus,showing the ring in process of deposition and consolidation.

Fig. 5 is a front face view of a train of 1 nine cathodicmolds for theformation of the "electrolytic-rm the-'relectrolytic bathre-;

cept'acle or basin and theleft hand portion of the cathodic-ring formingmold-train beand mold shown in section in Fig. 5, in that v thedeposited rings are completed and ready for removal, and not in processof formation.

Referring to the drawings InFig. 1 the reference numeral 1, designatesthe electrolytic-bath-receptacle, or

tank, containing electrolytic-liquid, usually up to the height of theline bb so as to immerse the cathode C- to a point just below thejournals 6 thereof resting in the I journal slots 2, which slots areopen at the top and are formed in the end walls 3, of

the receptacle which is of any suitable insulating material. Located inthe tank, usually supported on the bottom by insulating studs-l, is theanode A+, usually in the form of a plate. The cathode 6-, is usuallyformed of brass, or other suitable metal or alloy having high electricconductivity, and consists of the central conducting-cylinder or mandrel5, having at either end the inte grally formed journals 6 and 6,removably and revolubly fitting in the journal-slots 2.

Removably secured upon the journal 6 is a vpulley or gear-wheel 7, bymeans of which such cathode may be rotoated.

The other journal 6, has in contact there with a commutator-contact 8,usually sup ported upon a bracket 8, on the receptacle wall leading fromwhich spring to the minus-pole 9, of the electric-generator G, is theconducting wire 10; while from the 4 plus-pole 11, an insulatedconductingwire 12,'connects with the anode A{. On the journal 6 isremovably secured a collar 13, to prevent end thrust during rotation ofthe cathode.

shown, disclosed and claimed, in in pending application herein-before reerred lease res To produce rings by my improved electrolytic process Isuperpose alternately upon the conducting-cylinder a plurality ofalternately arranged insulating mold-rings 14,

easily fusible metal; and when ready to be inserted in theelectrolytic-bath, a peripheral-annular-mold space or cavity 16, of theshape and contour of the ring to be electrolytically produced, is leftbetween the insulatingmold-rings 14, upon insertion in the bath; uponturning on the current, and rotating the cathode C, the electrolyticrings 17 required, are formed by electro-deposition upon theconducting-mold-rings 15, in the annular mold-space or cavities 16,until the same are completely filled as shown in %hus far, the apparatusdescribed is that coto, and diflers in no essential particularstherefrom. But tobring out the formation of a solid non-spongy andhomogeneous electrolytic-ring, by my improved process, upon the bathreceptacle 1, at either end thereof, are rigidly mounted two brackets B,forming supports for a supporting stud-shaft 18, upon which arevibratorily supported pres sure lovers 4', through the outer vibratingfree ends of which pass the pressure-wheel shaft 4, upon which arerevolubly mounted the pressure-wheels 19, which are formed of anysuitable hard metal, such as bronze,

or steel; which pressure-wheels are of the same thickness as themold-spaces 16 alined between the insulating rings '14: forming themold. spaces, in which the rings to be formed, are to be deposited uponthe removable fusi ble-rings 15.

Formed integral With or secui'ed to the brackets'B, at the top thereofare the extensions 20, between the underside of which and the upper sideof the vibrating pressurelevers 4", and with the ends thereof lying insuitable sockets 21 (indicated by dotted lines in Figsxl, 2, 3, 5 and'6), are the pressure springs 22, usually of the coil-spring form shown.lhese pressure springs 22, are of suflicient tension and strength toforce down the levers 4 in such manner upon the molding blanks 15, andupon the rings 17 deposited thereon, so as to compress the ring beingdeposited, sufficiently to remove all sponginess and mechanicallycompact the same, so as to produce and form a solid metallic-ring ofhomogeneous structure throughout the same.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the shaft 4 carries either the singlepressure-wheel 19 shown in Fig. 1, or the train of like pressure-wheels19, shown in Fig. 5, and such shaft 4 extends across the bath receptacleand is mounted in the brackets B. In some cases, however, it may bedesirable, where a train or plurality of pressure-wheels are used,-'asshown in Fig. 3, to individually vary the pressure upon such Wheels; andin Fig. 3, I have shown a structure wherein this can be brought about;and therein instead of one shaft 4, I have shown two,

and for such purpose,

the same being split at the center, as indicated at 24 of such Fig. 3,whereby it will be seen that the pressure wheels 19 will be individuallypressed into their respective annular molds upon the ring beingdepos1t-' ed, and thatthe pressure exerted may be individually varied.-

As indicated in Fig.1; in dotted lines, the pressure exerted upon therings in process of construction may be Varied, merely by shifting theposition of the pressure-wheels 19 longitudinally of the pressure-levers4"; as shown in Fig. 6, where it is so desired to vary such pressure,such pressure-levers are provided at the outer end with a slot 25,through which passes the pressure-shaft 4, which carries thepressure-wheel or wheels 19.

It will be understood from the drawings and description, that thepressure exerted upon the ring being deposited by the pres sure-wheels19, is purely tractional, and while the cathode and the mold arepositively'rotated, the rotation of the pressure by the same wheels 19is brought about solely by frictional contact with the mold-rings, andthe rings being deposited.

The rotation of the cathode and the pressure-wheel in the variouspositions to which they may be adjusted by variation of the position ofthe shaft 4 in the slot 25 of the pressure-lever 4:, is clearly shown infull in dotted lines in Fig. 6. It will be seen by an examination ofsuch drawing that the maximum of pressure will be exerted upon the ringbeing deposited when the pressurewheel 19 is in the central and medialposition immediately superposed upon the top of the ring within themold, as shown in full lines; and that the pressure may be varied 'byshifting such pressure-wheel outward or inward into the positions shownin dot-' ted lines in such Fig. 6.

It will be seen herein that during deposition of the ring as the cathode(jis rotated in the electrolytic fluid in the bath receptacle, that itis only during such immersion that there is any deposition; and that thepressure for consolidating the metal deposited is brought about at thetop of the mold at a point wherein the rings being deposited are in theatmosphere and out of the bath; but I do not intend to limit myselfstrictly to a method or apparatus in which the consolidating action isbrought about outside of the bath, as in cases of the depozirold-blankupon and mold-blank sitions of certain metals, or for certain purposes,it may be desirable to have the consolidation performed under thesurface of the electrolytic fluid, and within the bath out of contactwith the atmosphere.

The process for the removal of the deposited articles, in this caserings; from the depositing blanks or mold-rings, forms no particularpart of this process, and is fully set forth, described and claimed inmy before mentioned copending application, and I have therefore notdeemed it essential to more fully describe the same herein.

'1 have found in practice thatin order to form the rings of exceedinglysmooth end surface whereby the same when finished will need no toolingor dressing, it is preferable to form the insulating mold-blank-rings14: of glass, porcelain or any other exceedingly hard-substance with avery smooth surface, which will not be affected by the action of theliquid in the bath.

In like manner I have also found that the consolidating pressure ringsmay be formed of glass like material and that they may be used withequal efficiency and effect for consolidating the rings duringdeposition without any changes or deterioration.

I claim 1; The hereinbefore described process for the formation ofmetallic articles which consists of the following steps :(l) formingducting-mold-blank; (2) positioning I in contact with a cathode; (3)positioninginsulation upon the cathode to wall such moldblank to form amolding-cavity outward of such moldblank; (4) immersing the cathode inan electrolytic-bath; (5) electrolytically depositing upon the face ofthe conducting-moldblank the required quantity of deposition to form thearticle desired to be produced; (6) duringjsuch deposition subjectingthe deposition to'mechanical pressure so as to by such pressureconsolidate and compact the same so as to form a homogeneous metallicstructure; (7) removing the conducting mold-blank and article from thecathode; and separating'the mold-blank fromthe article.

2. The hereinbefore described process for the formation of metallicarticles which consists of the following 'steps:-(1) forming aconductiug-mold-blank of a lower fusibility than the article to beproduced; (2) positioning such mold-blank upon and in contact with acathode; (3) positioning insulation upon the cathode to wall suchmoldblank to form a molding-cavity outward of such mold-blank; (4)immersing the cathode in an electrolytic-bath; (5) electrolyticallydepositing upon the face of the conductingtion to form the articledesired to be roduced; (6) during such deposition Sl1l1)]80i3- therequired quantity of deposiing the deposition to mechanical pressure soas to by such pressure consolidate and compact the same so as to form ahomogeneous metallic structure; (7) removing the conducting-mold-blankand article from the cathode; and (8) separating the mold-blank from thearticle by fusion.

3. The hereinbefore described process for the formation of metallicrings, which con sists of the following steps :-(1) forming an annularconducting-mold-blank or ring or a plurality thereof; positioning thesame upon and in contact with the periphery of acylindrical-conductingrcathode; (3) interposing upon suchcylindrical-cathode insulating-rings to form an annular molding-cavityoutward of the peripheral surface of each of such mold-blank ring orrings; (l) immersing the cathode so supplied in an electrolyticdepositing bath;

(5) electrolytically depositing upon the faceof theconducting-mold-blank ring or rings within the insulating rings therequired quantity of deposition to form the ring or rings desired to beproduced during rotation of the cathode; (6) during such depositionsubjecting the deposition to mechanical pressure so as to by suchpressure consolidate and compact the same so as to form a homogeneousmetallic structure; (7) removing the conducting-11101d-blank or blanks,article or articles from the cathode; and (8) separating the two.

4. The hereinbefore described process for the formation of metallicrings, which consists of the following steps :-(1) forming an annularconducting-mold-blank or ring, or a plurality thereof; positioning thesame upon and in contact with the periphery of acylindrical-conducting-cathode; (3) interposing upon suchcylindrical-cathode insulating-rings to form an annular moldingcavity orcavities outward of the peripheral surface of the mold-blank ring orrings; (4) immersing the cathode so supplied in an electrolyticdepositing bath; (5) electrolytically depositing upon the face of theconducting-mold-blank ring or rings within the insulating rings therequired quantity of deposition to form the ring or rings desired to beproduced during rotation of the cathode; (6) during such depositionsubjecting the deposition to mechanical pressure so as to by suchpressure consolidate and compact the same so as to form ahomogeneous-metallic-structure, the pressure being exerted upon thatportion of the ring or rings at the moment at the top and in theatmosphere; (7) removing the conductingmold-blank or blanks, ring orrings from the cathode; and (8) separating its moldblank from each ring.

5. The hereinbefore described process for the formation ofmetallic-rings, which consists of the following steps:-(1) forming anannular conducting-mold-blank or ring, or a plurality thereof of a lowerfusibility than the rings to be produced; (2) positioning the same uponand in contact with the surface of the mold-blank-ring or rings;-

l) immersing the cathode so supplied in an electrolytic depositing bath;(5)'electrolytically depositing upon the face of theconducting-mold-blank ring or rings Within the insulating rings therequired quantity of deposition to form the ring or rings desired to beproduced; (6) during such deposition subjecting the deposition tomechanical pressure so as to by such pressure consolidate and compactthe same so as to form a homogeneous metallic structure; (7 removingeach conducting-mold-blank and ring from the cathode; and (8) separatingthe two by fusion.

6. The hereinbefore described process for the formation of metallicrings, which consists of the following steps :(1) forming an annularconducting-mold-blank or ring or a plurality thereof; (2) positioningthe same upon and in contact with the periphery of acylindrical-conducting cathode; (3) interposing upon suchcylindricalcathode insulating-rings to form an annular molding-cavityoutward of the peripheral surface of each of such mold-blank ring orrings; (4) immersing the cathode so supplied in an electrolyticdepositing bath; (5) electrolytically depositing uppn the face of theconducting-mold-blank ring or rings within the insulating rings therequired quantity of deposition to form the ring or rings desired to beproduced; (6) during such deposition subjecting the deposition tomechanical pressure exerted upon the ring or rings being deposited bypressure consolidating traction wheels; (7) removing the mold-blank-ringor rings and the rings deposited thereon from the cathode; and (8)separating the two.

7. In a device of the class described, an electrolytic bath tank orreceptacle adapted to contain electrolytic fluid; an electriccathodelocated inthe tank; an electricanode also located in the tank; aconducting-mold-blank or blanks positioned on and in contact with thecathode; walls of insulating material adjacent to the mold-blank orblanks also mounted on the cathode extending beyond the mold-blank orblanks to form a deposition cavity or cavities wherein the article orarticles required to be produced may be electrolytically deposited; andmeans for compressing the foliated electrolytically deposited laminaeduring such deposition.

8. In a device of the class described,an

1,2ee,aes

moving the cathode and its accompanying moldblank or blanks in the bath,during such deposition and mechanical compression and consolidation. v

9. In a device of the class described, a receptacle adapted to containan electrolytic-fluid an anode located in the receptacle; a cathodeadapted to be removably-and revolubly mounted in the receptacle; aplurality of conducting-mold-blanks in contact with such revolublecathode carried thereby; Walls of insulating material walling themold-blanks, and extending beyond the outer surface thereof so as toform the .molds of the shape and contour desired to be electrolyticallyproduced; means for mechanically compressing the foliatedelectrolytically deposited laminae during such deposition; and means formoving the cathode and its accompanying mold-blank or blanks in thebath, during such deposition and mechanical compression andconsolidation.

' 10. In a device of the class described, a tank or receptacle forholding an electrolytic-depositing bath; a cathode located in suchreceptacle removably and revolubly mounted in such receptacle; anannular conducting mold-blank-ring, or a plurality thereof, located uponand in contact with.

the periphery of the cathode, insulating rings also mounted upon thecathode and extending beyond the outer peripheral surface of suchconducting-mold-blank ring or I rings so as to leave a cavity ofcavities of the form of the ring or rings to be deposited; a source ofelectrical supply connected with thecathode and anode; means forrotating the cathode; and a revolubly mounted wheel or wheels fitting inthe moldingcavity or cavities exerting mechanical pressure upon the ringor rings being electrolytically deposited therein, during the rotationof the cathode, with yielding pressure so as to compact and consolidatethe foliatedlaniinae being deposited while in a substantially nascentstate during such deposition.

11. In a device of the class described, a tank or receptacle for holdingan electrolytic-depositing bath; a cathode located in such receptacleremovably and revolubly mounted in such. receptacle; an annularconducting-mold-blank ring, or a plurality thereof, located upon and incontact with the periphery of the cathode, insulating rings also mountedupon the cathode and extending beyond the outer peripheral surface ofsuch conducting mold-blank ring or rings so as to leave a cavity orcavities of the form of the ring or rings to be deposited; a source ofelectrical supply connected with the cathode and anode; means forrotating the cathode; a revolubly mounted Wheel or wheels fitting in themolding-cavity or cavities exerting mechanical pressure upon the ring orrings being electrolytically deposited therein,

duringthe rotation of the cathode, with a yielding pressure so as tocompact and consolidate the foliated laminae being deposited While in asubstantially nascent state during such deposition,.which pressure isexerted upon that portion of the ring or rings being deposited at themoment at the top, out

of the electrolytic bath and in the atmos phere.

NATHANIEL HUGGIN S.

Witnesses:

H. I. SIEGEL, H. D. PENNEY.

